God has given me the wonderful privilege of working with many great leaders and entrepreneurs. And I have often heard them tell someone “Have you come to me with problems or possible solutions?”. Problems are part of life. In our personal lives there is not much that we can do about them but try and solve them in the best way possible. At work, we are actually paid for coming up with the best solutions to business problems.
Most of us have the tendency to moan and groan when problems happen. Some foreseen others unforeseen. Some of us get weighed under and get stressed out. Any problem that comes our way will never go away on its own. The only way problems reduce or disappear is when we, depending on our priorities, meet them head-on and resolve them. Well, there is this mindset called ‘The problem-solving mindset’. But its not the same as a ‘solution centric’ mindset. Between solving problems and being solution oriented by nature, there are two different approaches. Often those with a ‘problem solving’ mindset will focus on solving the problem at hand without a long-term approach to these to pre-empt problems. A ‘Solution centric’ mindset enables you to be solution oriented as a natural response and anticipate problems in advance. The ultimate state of mind is one where you pre-empt and avoid problems altogether! And that makes you super-efficient and cool. Here are a few easy thinking mode changes you will need to make and imbibe in your subconscious to evolve into a ‘Solution centric’ mindset.
Embrace problems
Accept problems as a way of life. Once you accept that problems are eminent, you will react very differently to problems when they arrive. You will need to become a driver in chaotic roads like Mumbai. Driving even on highways, create surprises that come at you as you drive. A car in front of you brakes suddenly, a bike rider zig zags missing your car by a whisker, a human being decides to cross the road in front of you unanticipated! Yet you drive on regardless, avoiding these sudden life risking interventions. Navigate your day somewhat like this. But be alert. See your problems coming. The worst thing is being hit unawares. Then you drown in your problem and everything else gets minimised. Be watchful and solve problems before they become a burning issue.
Be calm
Calm is the new super power. It keeps you functioning at your most optimum self. If you panic or get overwhelmed, stress sets in. The brain gets into fight or flight mode and triggers release of harmful chemicals like cortisol, adrenalin etc and creates an overall sense of panic, making us overreact and overthink! How do you solve problems then in a logical, best option first manner? Eat right, exercise, try and achieve a work life balance so that it helps you remain calm. A stressed-out mind can give you negative inputs to take impulsive decisions. Any problem needs you to achieve a balance by examining options and quickly coming to the most effective way out.
Quick thinking
Don’t jump to conclusions, engage brain before you action. You must develop the ability to quick think, logically. Look at the situation in its face. Wake up and smell the coffee. Neither exaggerate nor under estimate. Be as realistic as is possible. While a positive ‘can-do’ attitude will take you places, understanding your problems as they really are and analysing your options logically go a long way. Problems fester and grow unless you do something about them. More often, they are like wounds- you need to immediately deliver first aid to stop the bleeding and then work on a long term solution. Some problems are minor, others can have a greater impact. With a ‘Solution centric’ mindset you will develop an innate ability to prioritise and juggle with problems and solve them quickly and permanently.
“It is better to solve one problem five different ways, than to solve five problems one way.” George Pólya
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